Pete Roussel, the Founder/CEO of Coaching Search Consulting Inc., is reporting via Twitter that Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line coach Sean Kugler has interviewed for the UTEP head coaching job and is currently the frontrunner at this point.
Kugler was hired by the Steelers prior to the 2010 season after holding the same position with the Buffalo Bills from 2008-09. He also has roots tied to UTEP as he was a four-year letterwinner at the school from 1984-88 and coached there from 1993-2000.
Kugler\’s youngest son Patrick plays at North Allegheny High School and committed to the University of Michigan back in September. His oldest son Robert plays for Purdue.
The loss of Kugler to the Steelers would be a huge blow if he winds up leaving. In his two plus seasons with the Steelers he has effectively managed to juggle injuries on the offensive line and is said to be highly thought of by the unit.
The UTEP position came open back in late November when head Mike Price retired.
Should Kugler wind up leaving, he would unlikely be replaced with Shaun Sarrett, who was hired in February as the new offensive quality control coach to replace Harold Goodwin, who left during the offseason to become the offensive line coach of the Indianapolis Colts. Sarrett is still in the early stages of his coaching career and lacks experience, so that might result in the Steelers interviewing outside candidates.
